Page 57 of Vicious Fates and Vast Futures
I hear pencils scribbling in the back. Several other cities from various FECs have sent their communications people here, avid to distribute the news. All eyes are on us, apparently. We’re hoping that our FEC will become the flagship of how to not only integrate into human society, but how to earn our freedoms from their government.
“My first act will be to ban indentured servitude.” The crowd titters but he plows onwards, purposefully oblivious. “The accumulated wealth from the three courts has been pooled and will be used to pay each indentured servant a lump sum that will serve to get them set up for their new lives. They will each be offered their current position as a paid job, though they are welcome to decline. Secondly, any royal that has committed violent crimes within the past decade will be eligible for prosecution from the town councils. To lodge any complaints for such, please see your court’s lieutenant general immediately.” He pauses with the flair for the dramatic that only he can properly possess. “My final act today will be to appoint Fae ambassadors to the human world.” More noise from the crowd but Rory holds up his hand melodramatically. Oh yeah. Iknewhe’d be the perfect politician.
“I am appointing Orla O’Boyle and Filib of the Eilchsons.” A pause here, then, “And Priestess Adelaide ferch Elspeth.”
What the actual ever-loving fuck?This isnotwhat we discussed. I’m going tokillhim.
“They shall be required to take up residence both here and in a human city. They shall work with human leaders to relax regulations on Fae across the US and shall be model citizens, showing the humans howcivilizedwe can be.” He grins here in a very uncivilized manner, and the crowd chuckles.
I’m glaring at him. The utter ass. I don’t want to become an ambassador. I want to disappear with my mates. Cold shock settles in. But both Bryn and Ossy step up behind me and puttheir hands on my shoulders, reminding me that I won’t ever have to face anything alone ever again.
Epilogue
Bryn
My mate has no fear or common sense and I’m worried for our lives.
“This vehicle is a death trap, Adelaide. Are you quite sure you’re allowed to drive it? At this speed?”
She chuckles and turns down the Rage Against the Machine song that is blaring on the radio as she takes a sharp turn. I yelp and grab the frame of the black car she said was called a Jeep.
“Hands on the wheel, a chroí!”
I’m in the front seat while En and Ossy are snuggled in the back, the wind whipping their hair behind them. I wish I could enjoy the sight of them but I’m rather too concerned that Adi is going to get us killed.
“I could take us through a mirror, you know!” I yell over the wind and renewed music.
“What fun would that be, Bryn?” asks Nairna as she leans forwards between Adi and me.
“Goddess above,sit back! Do you have your fool belt on?”
“Chill, Bryn. We’re almost to the city.”
I close my eyes, breathing deeply, hand still gripping the frame. “The city” being the center of the US government, Washington DC. It has taken us a few months to find acceptable housing. While Adi’s done well investing her stipend from her years as a princess, it’s her and Orla’s combined ambassadorsalary that is allowing us to purchase a small compound north of the city. Commute times, as Adi has explained to me, don’t really matter to us, but as a show of good faith, we do need to live in the general area.
Adi has decided to lease out her altogether precious but small apartment above her coffeeshop in Boston. I installed a large mirror in the back of the coffeeshop so she can get to the shop whenever needed.
Filib found a small apartment in the city proper. He is also paying a boarding fee at a prestigious horse stable so he can have some time in his waterhorse form without needing to travel far. He’s beenalmostuseful since getting to DC. He’s pretty good at kissing ass, not shockingly. I may be growing passingly fond of him.
Adi has said that the meet and greets with US officials are going really well, much to our surprise. She and Orla are planning on hosting a gala for a local non-profit in a few months as a way to get more good publicity.
Nairna has become fascinated with engines. She’s apprenticing with an auto mechanic. She looks hot as fuck in her overalls. She’s also learning bellydance with Adi. Her grey skin has taken on a luscious depth from her time outside. She loves to swim and sunbathe.
Osmund promptly went and adopted a mutt from the animal shelter and named it Lucky. Lucky is actually pretty cute, though he’s scared shitless of En in her dog form. Ossy has recently started taking on clients as a private fitness coach and seems to be enjoying it. He’s also got quite the plant collection started.
